Forge Dam dam
Forge Dam
Forge Dam, also known as Chateaugay Lake Dam, is a significant water resource structure located in Brainardsville, New York. Built in 1921, this Buttress-type dam serves the primary purpose of recreation, providing water supply while also regulating the flow of the Chateaugay River. With a height of 25 feet and a length of 230 feet, Forge Dam has a storage capacity of 6816 acre-feet and a surface area of 568 acres, making it a crucial part of the local water infrastructure.
Managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Forge Dam is subject to regular inspections and regulatory oversight to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in fair condition. The dam's spillway, with a width of 102 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for the controlled release of water during periods of high flow. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Forge Dam represents a key component of the local water management system in Franklin County, New York. As a vital structure for recreation and water supply, it plays a crucial role in the region's ecosystem and serves as a focal point for outdoor activities. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, Forge Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and the need for continued investment in infrastructure to ensure the safety and well-being of local communities.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Forge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Salmon River At Bombay Ny | 94 cfs | → |
| Saranac River At Plattsburgh Ny | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At South Plattsburgh Ny | 46 cfs | → |
| Little Chazy River Near Chazy Ny | 68 cfs | → |
| Little Ausable River Near Valcour Ny | 48 cfs | → |
| E Br Ausable River At Au Sable Forks Ny | 271 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forge Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Upper Chateaugay Lake
- Chazy Lake
- Rue Lambton 68, Ormstown
- Drum Street Road 1098, Fort Covington
- Santa Clara Flow
- Avenue De La Fabrique Saint-Anicet
Track Forge Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Forge Dam
Where does the data for Forge Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Forge Dam.